The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-03-11
The Story Of a Wreck.
Thrilling and Romantic Account q
. Xutiny at Sec.
~ N. CLARK RUSSELL.

~'An increase of three inches since
the afternoon"
..Well, there's nothen to alarm US in
that, is there. Mr.. Roylee" he ques-
toned. Perhaps it's one o. my plugs
rs wants hammerin'."
mo. they're As tight as new ket-
tle," 1 answered. Il have Just come
from examining them"
well, all we've got to do il to pump
the ship out, and, if we can, make the
pumps suck all right That'll show US
If any things wrong"
This was just the proposition I was
about to make; SO went into the cud-
'dy and sung out for the steward; but
he was so long answering that l lost
my temper and ran into the pantry,
where found him shamming sleep.
started him on his legs and had
him on the main-deck in less time than
he could have asked what the matter
was.
Look herc"' l cried. eff you dom t
turn to and help us all to save our
lives. I'll just send YOU adrift in that
quarter-boat with the planks out Of her
bottom! What do you mean BY pre-
tending to be asleep when l sing out to
your"
And after abusing him for some time
to let him know that | would have no
skulking, and that if his life were
worth having he must save it himself,
for We were not going to do his work
and our own rs well. and l babe him
Law hold of one of the pump-handles,
and we all three of US set to work to
pump the ship.
If this were not the heaviest job We
had yet performed. it was the most
firing; but We piled our arms steadily
and perseveringly. taking every now
and then a spell of rest, and shifting
our posts so as to vary our pastures;
and after pumping 1 scarcely know
how long. the pumps sucked. whereat
the boatswain and cheered heartily.
'.Now, sir" said the boatswain. as
We entered the cuddy to refresh our
selves with drain of brandy-and-
water after our heavy exertions, I'VE
know that the ships dry. leastways,
starting from the ships bottom; if the
wells sounded agiu at half-past ten
it's now half-past nine-that' II be time
enough to find out if any things gone
wrong"
Miss Robertson came on deck and
said sue was afraid there was some
thing wrong when she heard the pumps
going.
Il should tell you at once if there
was any danger threatened that way"
! said. There was more water in the
ship than l cared to find in her, and so
the three of Us have been pumping her
out"
1t was arranged that the well should
be sounded again at half-past ten The
boatswa;n then turned in and was
doubtless sound asleep in five minutes.
Miss Robertson stood near the table.
with her hands folded and her ewes
bent down.
Twas about tc ask her to withdraw
to her cabin and get some sleep.
Mr.. Royle, You are dreadfully tired
and worn out. and yet you are going
on deck to remain at the wheel for two
hours"
That is nothing"
why will you not let me take your
place.
Because
.Let the steward keepncar that lad
der there. so that can call to him if l
want you."
do you think 1 could rest with tho
knowledge YOU were alone on deck?'
You refuse because you believe l
am not to be trusted" she said, gent
ly, looking down again
IF your lie were not dependent on
the ships safety. | should not think of
her safety. but of yours, l refuse for
Your own sake, hot for mine-no, l
will not say that. For both our sakes
/ refuse, have one dear hope-well,
! will call it great ambition. which l
need not be ashamed to swn: it is,
that may be the means ofplacing you
on shore in England. This hope has
given me half the courage with which
/ have fought on through danger after
danger since first brought you from
the wreck. If any thing should hap
pen to you now, l feel that all the
courage and strength of heart which
have sustained me would 90. Is that
saving too much2 l do not wish to
exaggerate." exclaimed. feeling the
blood in my cheeks. and lamenting,
without being able TO control. the inn
pulse that had forced this speech from
me. and scarcely knowing whether to
applaud or detest myself for ny can
dor
She looked up at me with her frank.
beautiful eyes. but on sudden averted
them from nv face to the door of the
cabin where her dead father lay. A
look of Undesirable anguish came over
her, and she drew deep, long. sob
bling breath
Without another word, l took her
hand and led her to the cabin. and
knew the reason why she did not turn
and speak 10 me was that l might not
see she was weeping.
But il was a time for action. and I
dare not let the deep love that had
came to me for her divert my thoughts
from nv present extremity.
summoned the steward, who
tumhled out of his cabin smartly
enough. aud ordered him to bring his
mattress and lay it alongside the COM
panion-ladder. so rs to be within hail
This done, l gained the poop and
sent Cornish below.
CHAPTER XIV.
As stood at the wheel I considered
how should act when the storm had
passed. And was justified in specu-
1ating, because now the sky was clear
right away round. and the stars large
and bright. though q strong gale was
still blowing and keeping the sea very
heavy.
We had been heading west ever since